Next Bright Idea Open For Student Submission With $1,000 Prize

LANSING — Calling all students! Need $1,000 cash? Would you like to be the CEO of your own company? Well, any student in the greater Lansing region looking to improve the world with their great ideas should enter the Next Bright Idea competition at www.nextbrightidea.com by Oct. 31.

Now in its third year, Next Bright Idea hopes to foster and grow the entrepreneurial mind in the young talent in our region.

Next Bright Idea is an idea competition geared towards students looking to make a difference in the Lansing region. Traditional business models, non-traditional inspirations, and ideas that can help the community as a whole, or a non-profit or civic organization; are all ideas strongly encouraged.

After the Oct. 31 deadline, finalists will then be invited to present to the panel of celebrity judges on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the former Barnes and Noble space in East Lansing.

“I am very anxious to see what kinds of ideas arise this year,” said Sara Graham, talent and communications director for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership. “The first year was open to college students and some really amazing businesses were pitched. We added in high school students last year and the ideas were incredible.”

Students interested in participating should enter their ideas in video or short essay form at www.nextbrightidea.com. Starting on Nov. 1, judges will choose 5 winners from each category, college and high school, to be invited to pitch their ideas for two minutes at the event. The winners will be announced and will receive their prizes on site. To register to attend the event, visit www.nextbrightidea2012.eventbrite.com.